With the primary election at the end of the month and the general election only three months away, I wondered, “What should I know before casting my vote?” I should be prepared to know who and why I will make my choice for that next senator, [congressman], circuit court judge, school board candidates [and the sheriff]. In addition, there is an amendment on the ballot — Amendment No. 4 — that will need our decision.

For most of us, there is no valid excuse for not making informed choices. With the aid of the Internet and newspapers, plus the many political advertisements crowding our mailboxes, we can do a little research to help us read up on the candidates and make those informed choices at the voting poll.

Working up to the General Election, there are a lot of speeches and debates to help us make up our mind. All it takes is a little willingness to get started. After all, this is about our government, folks, and how we want our country to be run. So, we need to get busy.

Does anyone remember the old Jay Leno “Jaywalking” skits on “The Tonight Show” years ago? Jay played “the man on the street” and he would walk around in Hollywood, CA interviewing people. He would ask them general questions about the government and the Constitution and he would get the funniest and most bizarre answers, which were so wrong. One of the funniest responses he got from a young, college girl was when he asked, “What is the first amendment of the Constitution?” Her answer was “Never cheat on your wife!” The answer to who said “give me liberty or give me death?” could be any response from John Hancock to Colonel Sanders. Of course, when one is put on the spot with cameras glaring at you, it is easy for the mind to go blank.

Now is the time to get involved and know who will be your choice for this election. Let’s exercise our right to vote and keep America the great nation that it is.